EUGENE _ We're two days away from the most hyped Oregon season since 2001, when Joey Harrington led the Ducks to a runaway victory over Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl and onto the No. 2 national ranking at the season's end.

The Ducks open up Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against New Mexico in Autzen Stadium.

Everything sets up nicely for the Ducks to build momentum with nonconference games against the Lobos, at Tennessee, home against Portland State. Then there is the conference opener against what is expected to be a subpar Arizona State team with quarterback issues.

UO coach Chip Kelly, of course, isn't looking ahead.

Kelly's mantra, "Win The Day," has been painted on the interior walls inside Autzen. He expects the Ducks to bring all of their attention, focus and energy to each day of the season, each practice, each game, one at a time.

He figures, if his guys do that the season will take care of itself.

It should be fun to watch.

The Oregonian and the R-G each came out with special sections today, so there is a lot to link.

Not included in these links is my in-depth profile of running back LaMichael James, which examines the road to redemption he has taken since his appearance on the police blotter last winter. It's scheduled for on-line release later this morning.

Jamie Francis/The OregonianChip Kelly

I was impressed with James, who owned up to his mistakes and has gone about making himself a better person.

Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News wonders if USC is studying the BYU decision to go independent. At the very least, Wilner postulates, the Trojans are going to demand a bigger share of the Pac-10's television/bowl revenue.